Help With LAN/WAN

gizzpluto31 · #1 (**permalink**) 29-04-2009, 03:26 AM

I need to set up a network between two offices that are about 500Ft apart. There is a 5-Pair Phone Line running between the the two offices. Three of the Five lines are used for phone lines, so that leaves two pair (Four Wires) not used for anything. I was wondering if there was a way to use the unused lines for some sort of networking.

We have a DSL Line at each office, and are having to pay about $100 per line per month. And we were wanting to cut back on one of the lines.

Note: The line is not Cat-5, but it is what the phone company installed.

If you need more info I will provide it upon request.

PS,

I have used phone line as network cable before for short distances of about 275Ft, with a Linksys Five-Port hub on both ends, with the line plugged into the up-link port. And it work pretty well, But i don't know about the distance with this setup here.

Thank You in advance for any tips with this problem.

Digerati · #2 (**permalink**) 29-04-2009, 04:27 AM

8 wires in an Ethernet cable - but 500 feet is probably too long anyway. There are Ethernet extenders but I don't know how reliable they are, or the performance hit the distant end takes.

Is this all inside one building?

gizzpluto31 · #3 (**permalink**) 29-04-2009, 05:03 AM

No, The cable runs underground.

I know you only need 4 wires for10/100 networking TX+,TX-,RX+ & RX-, and i don't need a gigabyte net work.

I know it's an ugly setup...

I also wonder if i can re purpose a couple of old Westell DSL modems?

Digerati · #4 (**permalink**) 29-04-2009, 05:09 AM

Quote:

I know it's an ugly setup...

I also wonder if i can re purpose a couple of old Westell DSL modems?

If you had an old router or hub, you could use them as a relay - but you would have to put these devices somewhere near the middle.

gizzpluto31 · #5 (**permalink**) 29-04-2009, 05:18 AM

Does the gauge, of the wire matter, it's pretty large 18 or 20 Gauge. I think.

I have heard about setting up a WAN, with a leased line or something like that.

What hardware would we need for something like that?

Digerati · #6 (**permalink**) 29-04-2009, 05:25 AM

The gauge does matter - but so does how it is insulated. A WAN is basically 2 or more LANs connected - typically by a router or some other network device.

gizzpluto31 · #7 (**permalink**) 29-04-2009, 06:10 AM

Any tips on the hardware for that.

I am looking at the range extenders now.

This is basically the setup we have by the way.
Office 1------------------Office2------------------------Telephone Company

Line 1---------|----------Line 1---------|-------------------------*
Line 2---------|------------X-------------|----------------------- -*
Line 3---------|------------X-------------|----------------------- -*
Line 4---------|----------Line 4 |
Line 5---------|----------Line 5 |

Line 4 & 5 Are not used for anything
They are the lines i would like to use. a total of 4 wires, 2 pairs.

Digerati · #8 (**permalink**) 29-04-2009, 01:52 PM

No I don't. Sorry. I think the distance is too great and the use of phone wires (I assume Cat-3) inappropriate for the job (not a criticism of you - you are just looking at ways to save some money). With that distance and cheap phone cable, I think there will be too much interference creating too many latency issues for those network users on the distant end. And it may disrupt any phone service in the adjacent pairs. Is there any way to pull a CAT-6 cable through the underground conduit? Or better yet, fiber? Does the space between the offices belong to the same company/owner?

Personally, I think you would be wise to hire a consultant and have it done right. It will cost more up front, but if it saves $100/month after that, it would not take long to recoup the investment, both in the realized cost savings, but also in terms of increased productivity of the users in that other office.

If there is a clear line-of-site shot between the two offices , you may consider going wireless with directional antennas - but then that opens up another bucket of security worms.

I suppose moving both offices into one big office is not an option.